Vehicle-wheel.



J. F. STARBUCK.

VEHICLE WHEEL. APPLICATION FIN-"D 41 2,24, 1912.

rammed Feb. '18, 1913.

WITNESSES lessees,

8, are inserted JOSEPH FRANK STAEBUCK, 0F EHELADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

vnnictnswnnnn To aZZ whom.- it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH FRANK STAR- which such curved spokes are additionally supported by auxiliary springs.

It further consists of such a wheel in which such auxiliary springs are brought into full service to support the load upon the wheel 'oint-ly with the primary spokes or springs when a predetermined load is imposed. I

- It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The annexed description set forth in detail one mechanical form embodying the invention, such detail construction being but one of the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawingsFigure 1 rep resents a side-view, partly in section, of one ialf of my improved vehicle wheel. Fig 2 represents a transverse section on the line ,a1-00 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a perone of the spring spokes.

spective view of Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates an annular felly, )refera'bly of metal, and formed with two in-- weirdly-projecting flanges, Q. A rectangularly trough-shaped rim, 3, is secured to the outer side of said felly, by nieansof bolts, l, and'a tire, 5, of rubber or any suitable or desired material, is secured in the trough of such rim. A hub, G, is formed with a pair of annular circumferential flanges.7. Bolts, at proper interyals through the flanges of the folly, and may be secured therein by nuts, 9, or by other, suitable fastening means, and bolts, 10, are inserted through the flanges of the-hubto radially aline with the bolts in the folly,

drawings and the following and-may be sectird in such flanges by nuts, 11, or.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed earn as.

made as regards Patented Feb. f8, 1913 1912. Serial no. 692,907.

by other suitable fastening -means. Each spr ng-spoke 1s formed from a Ship of spring-metal having one end doubled back to form a cylindrical eye, 12, to fit and turn upon one of the bolts in the felly. The

springstrip is curved to have its inner and outer portions, 13 and let, stand at abo'ut an angle of 120, and at the inner endof the spoke the strip is doubled upon itself to form a cylindrical eye, 15, to fit upon a bolt in the flanges of the hub in radial alinement with the bolt in the felly upon which the outer eye of the spoke is secured. The doubled portion of the strip whic-lrforms an auxiliary spring, 16, is curved on a flatter curve than the 'main spring and has its outer end in loose and slidable contact with the outer portion 14 of the main spring, and said outer end has two lips, 17, upon its sideedges to embrace the main spring and prevent lateral displacement of the two springportionsof the spoke.

The main springs of the Wheel will absorb the shocks to the wheel when traveling over the ground under light or normal load. As the load increases, a part-of the strain of compression will be transmitted to the auxiliary springs, and understill increasing load, the enos of the auxiliary springs will eventually bear against the eyes of the main or primary springs in the felly,'when the load will be borne by both .sets of springs. In this manner, the wheel will be freely resilient under light or normal load and the resiliency of the wheel will automatically adjust itself according to the load imposed upon it. Ti l hen the wheel is employed for a vehicle normally intended for light loads, the ends of the auxiliary springs will be at a greater distance from the felly than in a wheel intended for a vehicle carrying heavy loads.

The \vheelis simple-and inexpensive of construction and a broken spoke may easily be replaced by removing'its two bolts, removing the broken spoke, and replacing the new spoke and the bolts without disturbing the integrity of thewheel. The pneumatic tire with its drawbacks of wear,-puncture and other damages liable to occur, is dispensed with in this wheel construction.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed for. the mode.

herein explained. Change may therefore be the mechanism thustlisclosed provided the prinei; tion set forth eeti'vel 7 claims are employed Having tl1t15-Qlt5tfllb6tl v mention,what I claim as new and desire w seem-e by ters Patent, is

1. In a Vehicle wheel, :1 spring s wke formed trmn a flat strip of spring-metal ha V- ing one end formed with means for securin it to a Wheel-telly, having a CllIYQLl niain spiking iJOCtlOll, and doubled upon itself to form an eye and an auxiliary spring-phrtien enivecl on a tlattei' curve than said vinainportion and having its free end only hear ing against the concave side of the main SPFlNg-POYtl011 and slii'lahle upon the same.

2. In a Vehicle Wheel, a spring-spoke formed from a flat strip of springqnetal having one end formed with means for securing it -to a Wheel-telly, having a curved main spring-portion, and doubled upon itself to form aneye and an auxiliary springportion curved en a flatter curve than said niain-portion and having its free encl hearing against" the concave side of the main spring-portion and tunnel with sides embracing the main spring and slidahle upon the same,

8. A vehicle-wheel, eenz'pi'ising a telly a flanged h uh, transverse halts npo ner side of said telly, bolts iflSIQl'tGC the flanges of the hub, and nin formed from a strip of springy-inetalnaving one end bent into an eye to tit on a bolt in the telly and a curved niain spring-portion spring-portion curved on :1 than said mainsportinn an end only hearing t oi he main poetion and slitlahle n sin .1;

we end bent into an eye to lit on a bolt in the fell and a enrvetl lillill spring and doubled upon itself to form an e upon bolt in the huh and an auxiliary Spilllfi-pfil't'lml ClIIYCtl on t flatten curve than Paid main-portion aml having its free end bearing against the eonmive e cle of the main portion rnnl formal ii'ith lips on its s1 eniln'aeing the main springg-portion and slnlalale upon the same.

fl iQlllt'lQ Wllttlly emi iiis; a telly H anges, a flanged hut), hotter 17':

:(l threaten the tiang'es of the fell .7 inserted threng h the flanges of the huh antl in :iatlial itiiinenient with the bolts in the telty, and spying-spokes each formed from a strip OfSpttllQdDet'fil having one end bent into an eye to (it en a bolt in the telly and a curved niain springportion and doubled upon itself to form an "eye to fit upon it bolt in the. hub aniil an spring-portion and tonhle l upon itselt to ()lill an eye to it upen halt n the hub and chieil on a and hati'ee en l hearing against the Ct llCtlf the n'iain portion and turmoil with t: sides en'iliiraeing the n tin springnl slitlahle upon the same. Jtlf'lilll FREQ; 1" SEYAR BUCK. Witnesses C. D Moving 3%. llessmeen,

an auxiliary springpe iition its 

